Press Releases

Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) announced the Reserve Hose Fire Company (West Seneca Fire District 3) has been awarded a federal fire grant totaling $108,220.95. The funding is in addition to $62,641.90, announced by Kennedy last week, for East Seneca Volunteer Fire Company (West Seneca Fire District 4). Both grants were awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant program.  

“Our firefighters commit themselves to running toward emergencies and it’s critical they have the tools necessary to prepare and respond,” Congressman Kennedy said, a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security. “This represents a combined $170,000 investment in the safety of West Seneca residents and the selfless volunteer firefighters who serve this community.” 

Reserve Hose serves the southwest section of the Town of West Seneca. The busy station has already answered over 200 fire calls and more than 600 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) calls this year to date.  The grant will support the purchase of more than 30 new portable radios that ensure firefighters are able to be in constant contact with each other during an emergency. These new state-of-the-art radios replace outdated radios that are more than ten years old and are difficult to maintain.

Congress authorized $324 million for the Assistance to Firefighter Grant program to be distributed to departments nationwide to support readiness, training, equipment, and community safety. Grants are awarded through a competitive, peer-reviewed application process. 

Western New York fire departments can find more information at: https://www.fema.gov/grants/preparedness/firefighters.

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